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Sydney - The Waratahs have warned the Bulls against fielding a second-string team this weekend against the Stormers that could have up to 13 top-tier players missing, claiming such a move would be against ''the spirit of rugby''.
Should the second-placed Stormers record a bonus-point win against a depleted Bulls side, the Waratahs would be denied any chance of hosting a lucrative home semi-final - even if they were to defeat the Hurricanes at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday.
A home semi would yield a much-needed windfall for the NSWRU, which has reported a loss of $459 248 for 2009. The Waratahs would stand to make up to $600 000 should they host a Super 14 semi-final.
''It's a very worthwhile and valuable game in terms of money we put back into the game,'' NSWRU chief executive director Jim L'Estrange said of a possible home semi-final last night.
L'Estrange added that the Waratahs would monitor the situation in Pretoria and act if the Bulls named a severely depleted team for their final-round clash with the Stormers.
''If we think there is a cause to raise concern we will certainly be raising it with SANZAR,'' L'Estrange said. ''It's not about sitting back and just letting this happen. You just want to make sure things are done correctly and also that the best is done by the competition.
''I certainly understand there will be a few players after a long and torrid season who have a few niggles. But one would think 13 [players] is a little overdone. Right now we are sitting, watching and waiting to see exactly what team comes out. And we hope it is the best team the Bulls can put forward.
''I would be incredibly surprised if the Bulls took the risk of resting so many players for what's an important game. I am sure it is not in the spirit of the rugby. I am not quite sure it is actually in the spirit of SANZAR. The spirit of SANZAR is to make sure you put the best team on you possibly can.''
The table-topping Bulls are eight points clear of the second-placed Stormers, and are reportedly keen to rest their players ahead of the finals series given they have already clinched a home semi. Only one point separates the Stormers and the Waratahs, and the odds of the Cape Town outfit hosting a semi-final would heighten greatly if they were to be pitted against a second XV Bulls side.
The Bulls' first training session this week reportedly involved the reserves amid rumours Victor Matfield, Fourie du Preez, Morne Steyn, Zane Kirchner and Pierre Spies could be rested from the final home-and-away match.
Any move to field a weakened side would pose a substantial risk to the Bulls in a competition in which momentum and cohesion are vital. The Waratahs learned that lesson in 2002 when, after being assured a home semi-final, they benched several top players for the final round against the Crusaders and were belted 96-19. They lost their home semi-final to the Brumbies 51-10.
L'Estrange hopes talk of the Bulls benching the majority of their squad was only a rumour, but the NSWRU will monitor the situation and assess their team when it is named on Thursday.
There is no SANZAR law preventing a team from resting players, or limiting the number of those who are spelled in any week.
''We look forward (to) a competition that has the best final week of any in Super 14, or any competition has seen for a long time,'' L'Estrange said. ''I would hate to think anything would affect that.''
Should the second-placed Stormers record a bonus-point win against a depleted Bulls side, the Waratahs would be denied any chance of hosting a lucrative home semi-final - even if they were to defeat the Hurricanes at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday.
A home semi would yield a much-needed windfall for the NSWRU, which has reported a loss of $459 248 for 2009. The Waratahs would stand to make up to $600 000 should they host a Super 14 semi-final.
''It's a very worthwhile and valuable game in terms of money we put back into the game,'' NSWRU chief executive director Jim L'Estrange said of a possible home semi-final last night.
L'Estrange added that the Waratahs would monitor the situation in Pretoria and act if the Bulls named a severely depleted team for their final-round clash with the Stormers.
''If we think there is a cause to raise concern we will certainly be raising it with SANZAR,'' L'Estrange said. ''It's not about sitting back and just letting this happen. You just want to make sure things are done correctly and also that the best is done by the competition.
''I certainly understand there will be a few players after a long and torrid season who have a few niggles. But one would think 13 [players] is a little overdone. Right now we are sitting, watching and waiting to see exactly what team comes out. And we hope it is the best team the Bulls can put forward.
''I would be incredibly surprised if the Bulls took the risk of resting so many players for what's an important game. I am sure it is not in the spirit of the rugby. I am not quite sure it is actually in the spirit of SANZAR. The spirit of SANZAR is to make sure you put the best team on you possibly can.''
The table-topping Bulls are eight points clear of the second-placed Stormers, and are reportedly keen to rest their players ahead of the finals series given they have already clinched a home semi. Only one point separates the Stormers and the Waratahs, and the odds of the Cape Town outfit hosting a semi-final would heighten greatly if they were to be pitted against a second XV Bulls side.
The Bulls' first training session this week reportedly involved the reserves amid rumours Victor Matfield, Fourie du Preez, Morne Steyn, Zane Kirchner and Pierre Spies could be rested from the final home-and-away match.
Any move to field a weakened side would pose a substantial risk to the Bulls in a competition in which momentum and cohesion are vital. The Waratahs learned that lesson in 2002 when, after being assured a home semi-final, they benched several top players for the final round against the Crusaders and were belted 96-19. They lost their home semi-final to the Brumbies 51-10.
L'Estrange hopes talk of the Bulls benching the majority of their squad was only a rumour, but the NSWRU will monitor the situation and assess their team when it is named on Thursday.
There is no SANZAR law preventing a team from resting players, or limiting the number of those who are spelled in any week.
''We look forward (to) a competition that has the best final week of any in Super 14, or any competition has seen for a long time,'' L'Estrange said. ''I would hate to think anything would affect that.''
